Our Puppies

Caring for our puppies’ health begins before they are born

Choosing the right parents is the most important first step. We consider their health, temperament, breed type and soundness, the results of their health screening and genetic tests, as well as the genetic compatibility of each pairing. To minimise the risk of hereditary diseases, allergies and other health problems, we use genetic testing and carefully analyse the pedigrees of both parents going back eight generations. The Portuguese Water Dog remains a relatively rare breed with a limited gene pool, which makes this approach particularly important to us.

The first eight weeks

Our puppies are born and raised with us in our home, never in kennels. From birth, they become accustomed to people, handling, everyday household sounds and a variety of age-appropriate experiences.

Health care

Our puppies are dewormed four times, starting at two weeks of age and then every two weeks. Regular deworming is an important part of preventive puppy care, and using different products allows us to target a broader range of internal parasites. At the end of their sixth week, the puppies receive their first Nobivac vaccination, undergo a thorough veterinary health check, are microchipped and receive their EU Pet Passports. New owners are provided with a clear vaccination schedule explaining when and how to continue with their puppy’s vaccinations.

Socialisation and new experiences

After their first vaccination, we focus on socialisation, gradually introducing the puppies to new people, places and situations. Puppy yoga classes were a wonderful experience, giving them the opportunity to explore and sniff around new places, meet children and interact with lots of different people. They gained even more positive experiences away from home – and plenty of new admirers along the way. We also had the opportunity to introduce people to the Portuguese Water Dog, talk about what life with a Portie is really like and answer many interesting questions from the participants.

Toilet training from an early age

As soon as the puppies start walking independently, we introduce them to an artificial-grass toilet area. With consistent training, our puppies are around 90% house-trained by the time they leave us, making the transition to their new homes considerably easier.

Grooming from an early age

Coat care is part of every Portie’s life, so we introduce our puppies to grooming from just two weeks of age. We brush them every evening, and by the time they leave for their new homes, they have already been clipped three times. This gradually gets them used to regular handling and brushing, as well as the sound and vibration of clippers.

Leash training and travelling

We start introducing our puppies to walking on a leash at four weeks of age, so their first walks with their new families are not an entirely new experience. Car travel is also a normal part of their lives from an early age. Before leaving us, they take several car journeys of between 50 and 150 km, helping them become comfortable and confident travellers.

The right puppy for the right family

Every puppy has its own personality, temperament and individual strengths. When matching our puppies with their future families, we also consider each family’s lifestyle and plans for the future. At six weeks of age, each puppy undergoes an individual temperament assessment by an experienced dog trainer. We combine the results of this assessment with our own daily observations of the puppies from birth. Our goal is not to find just any home for a puppy as quickly as possible, but to find the right lifelong home for each individual puppy.

When it’s time to go home

Every puppy leaves us with its own puppy pack, carefully prepared for the first days and weeks with its new family. It includes food, grooming supplies, toys, treats and other practical essentials. New owners also receive a sales contract and our own detailed puppy guide, created from our experience of raising and living with Portuguese Water Dogs. It contains practical information on feeding, health care and the vaccination schedule, grooming, exercise, training and the puppy’s first months in its new home.

A keepsake from the first eight weeks

For every puppy, we create a personalised keepsake containing a portrait, photographs from its first days and weeks of life, its first collar and paw prints. We make ink paw prints on the day the puppy is born and a three-dimensional paw print at eight weeks of age, just before the puppy leaves for its new home. Together, they capture the puppy’s journey from its very first day to the moment an exciting new chapter begins with its new family.

Even a long distance doesn’t have to be an obstacle

If a puppy is going to a new home farther away or abroad, we are happy to help arrange the journey. Whenever possible, we are also prepared to travel part of the way and meet the new owners halfway. This is how we arranged the handover of our puppy Elsa, who now lives in England. Together with her mother Dory, we made a trip of it and drove Elsa approximately 900 km to Germany, where we met her new owners, spent several hours together and had the opportunity to get to know each other in person. So if the right home for one of our puppies happens to be abroad, we will gladly help find a safe and sensible way to get the puppy to its new family.

Our relationship doesn’t end when a puppy goes home

We stay in touch with the families of our puppies and are here for them throughout their dogs’ lives – whether they need advice or support, or simply want to share their adventures and achievements with us. If an owner needs to travel or is temporarily unable to care for their dog, we are always happy to welcome one of our puppies back to stay with us for as long as needed. Every puppy we breed therefore has a safe place to come back to whenever necessary – a place where they will always be welcome.

Our Litters

Every one of our litters has its own story and deserves a page of its own.

Interested in one of our puppies?

Tell us a little about yourself, your family and the life you hope to share with your future Portie. This helps us get to know you and, when the time comes, match you with the puppy best suited to becoming the much-loved member of your family you have been hoping for.